Vermont has been ranked the second-safest state in the nation for truck drivers, according to a new study analyzing crash data, road conditions and pay across all 50 states.
The study, conducted by researchers at the Texas-based Barber Law Firm, examined data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to determine where truck drivers face the lowest risks on the road.
Vermont earned an overall safety score of 77.14 out of 100, placing it just behind Alaska, which ranked first.
Researchers found that Vermont has the lowest rate of trucks involved in fatal crashes in the country, at just 1.63 per 100,000 truck registrations. The state’s fatality rate tied that same low figure, also 1.63 per 100,000 registrations.
Road quality was another major factor in Vermont’s high ranking. Nearly 95% of the state’s major highways are rated in good or fair condition, one of the highest percentages nationwide. Vermont also reported relatively moderate traffic congestion, with about 1,966 vehicles per interstate mile.
Truck drivers in Vermont earn an average annual salary of $57,050, according to the study.
The rankings come amid growing national concerns about truck safety. More than 5,800 large trucks are involved in fatal crashes each year in the United States, a figure that represents a nearly 50% increase over the past decade, researchers noted.
Kris Barber, founder and principal attorney at The Barber Law Firm, said the findings highlight how dramatically safety conditions can vary from state to state.
“Truck drivers are the unsung heroes of our economy,” Barber said in a statement. “Road safety can vary wildly depending on which state they are driving through. Improving safety in the worst-performing states is not just about preventing accidents — it’s about honoring the people who keep America running.”
Other states ranking among the safest for truck drivers included Montana, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. New Hampshire ranked 44th on the list, while New York came in at 43rd.
The study evaluated states using five key metrics: average annual truck driver salary, trucks involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 registrations, fatalities per 100,000 registrations, traffic congestion per interstate mile, and the share of major highways in good or fair condition.
Researchers said higher pay, lower crash and fatality rates, lighter congestion and better road conditions all contributed to higher safety rankings.